If you are a reader who graduated in July of 2011, you may soon receive or already have received a phone call enquiring as to what exactly it is you're doing with your life several months after you finished university. This is a part of an annual survey on graduate destinations, the results of which from last year may prove of interest to current and future graduates alike.
The 2010 survey revealed that just fewer than 70 per cent of those surveyed were in graduate employment six months after graduation. At first glance, whether or not this makes for positive reading is debatable, but numerous other factors must be considered. First of all, it can be asserted that not all of those 30 per cent without employment were actively seeking it; increasingly, many students are choosing to pursue a gap year upon the completion of their degree with travelling a popular option. Furthermore, within this number lies the considerable proportion of those who committed to further studies, be it through a masters course or otherwise.The survey's most significant claim is also its most reassuring; of those 70 per cent who had found employment, the vast majority were in graduate level positions - over 90 per cent of them, making up just under 64 per cent of those surveyed in total. This represents a record total for the survey itself, and presents a very positive outlook for the job prospects of those who do choose to go straight into graduate employment upon completing their degree.On top of this, unemployment amongst those surveyed experienced a slight downturn. Though it still lies at around 8 per cent, the survey as a whole represents a bigger picture of the graduate job market that is much brighter than the one so conventionally painted. Whether such an upturn can be sustained as this year's graduates find themselves answering the same questions is up in the air, but evidence of a positive trend can only serve to please those currently filling out their application forms.<br/><br/>Jon, GRB Journalist
